Japan to Battle Rival South Korea for Men’s Soccer Bronze

Japan’s soccer team walks off the field after losing to Mexico in their semifinal match on August 7.

The Japanese men’s soccer team’s 3-1 loss to Mexico on Tuesday extinguished their gold medal dreams, but set up a juicy third-place clash with historic archrival South Korea, putting regional bragging rights on the line along with a bronze medal.

Like Japan, South Korea missed the finals, unable to answer any of Brazil’s three goals during the semifinal match. But the Asian rivals’ dashed gold medal hopes mean fans back home will be treated to a fiery kicker.

Japan is chasing its first Olympic soccer medal in 44 years. South Korea wants its first ever. Now one of them is assured of walking away with both a medal and the satisfaction of thumping a rival.